May Camp General FAQs - Momentum Camps

We recommend that you sign up asap as we will have a limited # of spots available for these new May Camps. The spot is not 100% guaranteed until you register on-line and we have received your $650 deposit/session.

Where do most of the campers come from? Top

Campers come from all over North America, as well as some internationals from Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and Central/South America.

What clothing should I pack? Top

Weather in the mountains can change rapidly so be prepared for everything from hot sunshine to heavy snow. You should include:

– waterproof snowgear+ gloves (ideally a shell suit, with layers underneath)
– your own ski/snowboard equipment (rentals can be arranged through our great local store TMC)
– helmet (mandatory)
– backpack + high factor sunscreen and lip cream, (we provide a waterramp bottle)
– goggles and sunglasses
– swimwear, soccer cleats (optional)
Please limit your bags to one ski bag and one clothing bag, plus a small backpack. No bikes!

Do I have to bring my own skis/board? Top

Yes – or you can rent skis in Whistler if you don’t have your own gear. Contact us for details as you will need to pre-book to ensure you get the right size equipment. Our local store ‘The Mogul Corner’ offer great rates on ski and board rentals.

How do you compare to other camps? Top

Momentum’s greatest strength over any camp is our coaches. We have the best line-up of Olympic, World Cup and Pro skiers/riders, many of whom used to be campers themselves ( former campers.) The Blackcomb terrain park is world class, along with private mogul lines, airbag training, plus all of Blackcomb’s Spring terrain to explore make May one of the best times to progress your skiing and riding. We offer 6 days of coaching per season. Whistler, home of the 2010 Olympics is a beautiful 4 season resort and has an endless choice of activities and stunning scenery to enjoy once you get down from the mountain. The camp is based at the beautiful Pan Pacific Mountainside, an award winning hotel in the heart of the village and provides a full package experience with meals, airport transfers and activities included. And with all this we are still the most affordable camp in North America!

Here are some points to consider:

– We offer Mogul, Slopestyle and Snowboard coaching.

– We focus heavily on quality coaching not just coming to ‘cruise’ – we want you to go home a better skier/rider than when you arrived!

– Our coaches work with you in small groups and coach you all day as well as offer daily video review. They are involved in the whole camp, from breakfast, to on-mountain coaching, to afternoon activities, dinner and evening activities and stay at the hotel – you’ll really get to know them. They don’t just ride – they teach, motivate and inspire!

– We pride ourselves on having the most experienced, excellent and enthusiastic coaching crew with a mix of top pros, Olympians, World Cup skiers/riders, as well as veteran coaches/competitors and young guns who are currently ripping on the circuit. Our coaching is very hands-on, one-on-one, rather than just having coaches ‘post-up’ – you’ve paid to improve your skiing/riding and our goal is to teach you quickly and safely.

– We offer a complete all-inclusive package, with a full daily program including 2 meals (breakfast and a full evening meal).

– Your deluxe accommodation is at luxury hotels, with pool and hot tub, centrally located and close to all restaurants, activities and the mountain. All rooms have phone, wifi, TV, small kitchenette, 24 hour front desk staff.

– We offer in-depth daily video review to give you real one-on-one feedback with your coach. You get to keep this record of your individual progress along with coaches’ comments.

– We also offer expert trampoline and airbag instruction from Freestyle Canada qualified coaches.

– We also offer special team deals – contact us for details.

– We limit our groups to max 6 adults and max 7 youth.

Can parents/adults attend the camps? Top

Yes we offer Family/All Ages Camp in Week 1 and an Adult-only session in Camp 2. Whistler is a great location for a family vacation and non-skiing parents can enjoy all the great activities the resort has to offer, while your kids are busy at camp, so you can come along and leave the kids with us during the day! There’s plenty of accommodation nearby from luxury hotels to more affordable condos so you can stay close to the camp hotel and your kids can join in with the full program if they want their independence. Or you can stay at the camp hotel if you prefer. Please contact us for suggestions and more details of how we can customize your family vacation to fit with camp.

How is the Adult-only camp different to the All Ages Camp? Top

We offer the same mogul, park, snowboard or hybrid (3 days of moguls/park) instruction in both camps, plus afternoon activities and evening video review. The coach to skier ratio is maximum 4-6 campers per coach in Adult Week instead of 4-7. The average age is around 35 instead of 14. We offer upgraded dinners, which take a little longer and start later. Afternoon activities are fairly similar with some extra adult-oriented activities thrown in, including hikes, a spa trip and bungee jumping. There is no supervision and evening socializing in Whistler’s nightspots is encouraged!

On Hill:

What level of skier/rider do you have to be to attend? Top

Moguls – we accept all levels of aspiring mogul skiers from people just starting to ski bumps, to World Cup skiers. You should however be able to make good parallel turns on the flats and be a high level 5 or level 6 skier in ski school.
Park/Snowboard – we accept all levels of slopestyle skiers/riders from people just starting to take their first air or slide a rail, to those who can jump 80′ tabletops, and are working towards a spot in X-Games! You do have to be a high intermediate to advanced skier/snowboarder and be able to ride a T-bar as the coaching is focussed on park riding skills.

What kind of weather/snow conditions do you get in May? Top

Expect everything from hot sunshine to fresh snow! On sunny days you can see for miles and wear a T-shirt; if the clouds roll in, be prepared for fog, rain, hail or snow! It’s essential that you wear plenty of sunscreen whether it’s sunny or cloudy as the ultra violet rays are harsh and you will burn really quickly. Also always wear your goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes. Snow conditions can be hard packed in early morning if it’s been a clear and frosty night, quickly warming up to soft, forgiving slush by mid-morning. We use salt on our jumps and terrain features to make sure they are in mint condition.

How do you access the moutain?Top

You ride 1 gondola and 2 chairlifts to get to the top of the main area we use for park riding and mogul skiing and from there we have access to multiple other chairlifts to access the alpine. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the top and you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

Who will my coach be? Top

You get to work with almost all of our great coaches as we rotate the groups each day. This gives you the chance to get to know the style and experience of all the top pros and Olympians and learn from their different coaching techniques.

Off Hill:

Where and what do we eat? Top

Breakfast – At a local restaurant
Lunch – You can pack a lunch or buy lunch at the lodge – bring a credit card or Whistler/Blackcomb gift card!
Dinner – delicious and healthy dinner every night

Do I have to pay for afternoon activities and do I have to participate? Top

No – all scheduled afternoon and day-off activities are included in the price if you sign up for Full Package. You do not have to take part in the activities but most people do as it’s a great way to get to know other campers and coaches, try something new and see a little more of the Whistler area. If you are on the Coaching Only Package you have the option of adding on the activities so that you experience the same full day program as the other campers – you just don’t sleep at the hotel or have the meals. You have to buy the full week of activities which offers a choice every day.

Rules/Supervision:

How much are the campers supervised?Top

The campers are supervised throughout the day on the mountain and during the afternoon and evening activities. During the small amount of free time campers can walk around the village, but under 19 yr olds have to be back in the hotel by 10:00pm. Whistler is a small, pedestrian village, so it’s safe and easy for campers to enjoy the atmosphere of the squares and cafes and get safely back to the hotel, which is in the very centre of Whistler. Our staff and camp director stay in the hotel and do a room-check each night. We also have dedicated camp counselors to help with supervision in the hotel as well as our ops staff. We state the camp rules very clearly during our welcome meetings and ask that campers respect them. This attitude of mutual respect usually means everyone can have a good time without too much trouble! We do not have counselors sleeping in rooms with campers so if you need this level of supervision for your child it would be best if you accompany them.

How do you deal with campers using drugs, alcohol or smoking? Top

We have a zero tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol – campers will be sent home with no refund. We want to provide a safe and healthy environment at camp for everyone. We have staff on duty each night to check on campers and search rooms if alcohol or drugs are suspected. There is a no-smoking/vaping policy in the hotel and on the mountain.

What kind of safety precautions do you take?Top

Like any action sport, freestyle skiing and snowboarding have inherent risks, but we try to minimize these by using experienced staff and following a strict policy of due diligence. Our staff is fully briefed on our operating procedures and campers are told the camp and mountain rules and regulations at our welcome meetings. We ensure that campers are well warmed up and stretched before they start skiing/riding with their coach and they are sorted into small supervised groups with campers of a similar ability, so that they learn at a comfortable pace. We do not allow inverts on the first day and we only allow people to flip for the first time once they have shown proven ability on the water ramp or airbag. Campers wanting to flip for the first time must first show their air sense on trampoline and then qualify their jump on the water ramp or air bag before attempting it on snow. Helmets are mandatory. We have a crew of staff who work to keep our terrain in top condition, smoothing jumps, and ensuring the features are in good shape every day. Coaches supervise the jumps to ensure the landings are clear. Afternoon activities are fully supervised; trampolining and water ramping are overseen by a qualified aerial + trampoline coach. Having said all that injuries can of course happen.

What happens in the case of injury?Top

Blackcomb Mountain has fully trained patrollers up on the mountain, who will safely transport campers to Whistler’s experienced emergency clinic. There is also a helicopter on call, at all times, in case of serious injury. Whistler has plenty of excellent physiotherapists to help campers get over minor injuries. A number of our staff are also qualified in First Aid. Once you have registered for camp we will send you a medical release form, which the clinic will need before they can treat minors. You will have to pay for treatment by credit card and can reclaim this later from your insurance company. Campers must have their own travel and medical insurance, which covers them for skiing/snowboarding as well as illness. There are no camp refunds in the case of injury or illness, unless you have purchased our cancelation insurance.

Is there a curfew? Top

Yes, campers under the age of 19 must be back in the hotel by 10pm. We then conduct a room check to make sure everyone is accounted for and campers are respecting the quiet rules in the hotel. We keep an extra eye on the younger kids, can room check them earlier if needed and make sure they get enough sleep.

Money:

How do I pay for camp? Top

We accept visa/mastercard, e-transfer or wire transfers. We do not accept Amex. We require a $650 deposit per session, which is usually charged on credit card with the balance charged on the same card on April 1. After that date there are no refunds whatever the reason for cancellation. Note that credit cards will be charged in $Cdn and are subject to the current exchange rate used by your credit card company. Payment plans can be set up with full payment due by April 1st.

What’s included in the camp price? Top

Full package includes everything, i.e. breakfast and dinner, accommodation in a luxury hotel in the heart of Whistler, airport transfers, coaching, lift tickets, afternoon and evening activities, Camp T-shirt, sponsor prizes and personal video footage. The Coaching Only package includes all the on-hill coaching, lift tickets, terrain access and evening video review, but not the afternoon activities, food, accommodation and airport transfers. Activities and selected meals can be added to this package. NOTE that airfare is NOT INCLUDED and there is no food provided on travel days.

Cancellation Policy:

A non-refundable $650 deposit will be charged at time of booking with the Balance charged on April 1.
There are no refunds for cancellation so we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you take out your own trip cancellation insurance or check to see if this is covered by your credit card. There will also be no refunds if you are injured, become ill or have to either prolong your stay or return home early for other reasons.

Medical/Accident/Travel Insurance:

All participants must also have adequate Accident and Medical Insurance in place for all camp activities, which must include Medical Treatment including Hospitalization, Ambulance, Emergency Dental Teatment, Helicopter Evacuation, and Return to Home Residence, as well as coverage for any type of illness which may require medical care, hospitalization or medication.

Canadians please check with your healthcare provider what coverage you have when visiting BC as it may not cover all costs and you can purchase additional ‘out of province’ medical insurance.

How much spending money should I bring? Top

The Full Package camp price covers everything apart from lunches and food on travel days. So the only spending money in addition to this is for extra snacks, souvenirs etc – it’s up to you.

Is it easy to exchange money? Top

Yes – there are currency exchange booths, banks, as well as ATM machines, which accept US and some international bank cards and will give you Canadian money.

How do I send extra money to my child? Top

Funds can be wired through Western Union to a Money Mart Foreign Exchange, right by our hotel and funds are available right away. Contact us for details.

Travel:

Youth travelling alone – please book your flights to arrive and depart between 11am and 3pm on the travel days (first and last days of the session) to meet our staff at the airport. Adults can arrive later (but before 8pm) and take the airport shuttle. Do not book flights departing earlier than 11am unless you don’t mind paying for an expensive cab ride!

What happens when I arrive at the airport? Top

We have members of staff at the airport to meet all arriving youth campers. We are not allowed to meet flights at the gate, but will be waiting in the arrivals area of the international terminal for all US and international campers. Our meeting point is the Tim Horton’s Cafe, which is on the right hand side of the arrivals area. We’ll have a Momentum Camps sign there and you’ll probably see a bunch of luggage trolleys with ski bags and know you’ve found us. We meet Canadian campers at the Domestic Terminal at the top of the stairs in the middle of the Arrivals area. We ask you to book your flights to arrive and depart as close to midday as possible – between the hours of 11am and 3pm is ideal. Busses usually leave at around 2pm and 3pm with a sweeper van for late arrivals. Please call the operations cell phone # is 604 905 8244 if you have flight delays or any other problems.

What kind of ID do I need to get into Canada? Top

All Americans and internationals require a passport to fly to and from Canada. Please apply for a passport as soon as possible if you do not yet have one. If you have a passport – check to make sure it has not expired and is valid for the required # of months!

What kind of ID do I need if I am Canadian and flying to Vancouver? Top

Air travelers traveling within Canada must meet Transport Canada requirements for identification. Usually, these requirements can be satisfied with a government-issued photo identification card such as a Drivers Licence, General Identification Card, or passport. Otherwise, two pieces of government-issued identification, at least one of which contains the person’s correct name, date of birth, and place of birth (such as a birth certificate), are required. The name on the identification must be the same as the name on the boarding pass.

What arrangements should I make for ‘unaccompanied minor’? Top

Please check with your airline what their ‘unaccompanied minor’ rules are. You may have to pay an additional fee for airline staff to accompany your child at either end of the journey and Momentum staff will sign for your child on arrival and check your child in with airline staff on departure. Please contact us nearer the time for the name of our staff member who will be meeting your child, as the airline will require this. Please make sure to let us know if your child is traveling as an official ‘Unaccompanied minor’.

What happens if I don’t arrive/depart between 11am and 3pm? Top

You will have to pay the transfer costs for either taking the public bus, taxi or arranging a private shuttle. There is a regular public bus to Whistler. Taxis will make the drive, but are expensive at approx $400Cdn. Please contact us for further details.

What happens if my flight is delayed and I arrive after 3pm? Top

We always have a sweeper vehicle and staff member at the airport specifically to wait for late arrivals. If however your flight is going to be extremely delayed and we have other campers also waiting at the airport, we may have to book you onto a public bus or arrange for a taxi, depending on your age. You will be responsible for these extra costs. Please call us with your new arrival details or delayed flight info on cell: 604 905 8244.

How do I get to camp if I’m driving? Top

The hotel is now based at the Pan Pacific Montainside. From Vancouver: find your way to Highway 99 and drive north to Squamish and onwards to Whistler. We’re about a 2 hour drive from downtown Vancouver and 45 minutes from Squamish. Once you enter Whistler keep driving, you’ll pass through Whistler Creekside, past the subdivisions ‘Nordic Estates’ and ‘Brio’ and then you’ll arrive at the main village. Turn right off the highway at the stop lights. Go straight over the lights and turn right at the next stop sign. Turn right at the next lights and the hotel will be on your left right at the base of Whistler Mountain. You can reach the hotel at 604-905-2999

Can I bring my bike? Top

No – we do not have room for bikes on the bus, but you can ship it separately if you really want to bring your own bike and are staying for more than one session. Or you can take the public bus to Whistler and pay an Extra cost to bring your bike.

Do you have a Travel Agent you can recommend?

Yes – Jenny Revesz, who books all the travel for Freestyle Canada is great to deal with and very reliable.
Tel: 604-905 4920, Email: jenny@personaltravel.ca
Web: www.personaltravel.ca/jenny-revesz

Hotel:

Who will I be rooming with and how many kids per room? Top

You can note on your registration form any friends you’d like to room with. 2-3 youth campers will be sharing a one or 2 bedroom suite and are matched with campers of the same age and sex. If you don’t know anyone at camp we will try to match you with girls or boys of a similar age. Girls and boys do not room together. We can make exceptions for siblings. Upgrades to private rooms are available, space permitting – contact us for details. Adult Camp rooming is based on 2 adults sharing. You will be required to upgrade to a private room, if there are other suitable adults you can share a room with.

How do I contact the hotel and are there phones in the rooms? Top

Yes – you will need a credit card to open the line. You can contact your child by calling the Pan Pacific at Tel: 604-905-2999
The hotel address is: 4320 Sundial Crescent, Whistler, BC V8E 1G6, Canada All rooms have wifi.

How far away are the lifts from the hotel? Top

The lifts are about a 1 minute walk from the hotel.

What facilities are at the hotel? Top

The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, TV, Wifi, telephone, hair dryers, washer/dryers, a full kitchen and en-suite bathrooms. The Momentum office is located at the hotel with camp information and clothing for sale. The Front desk is open 24 hours.